I’m conflicted about it as well, but according to Cali law, it must have valid registration to remain “your property”, I’m quite sure that’s what the article says. Further, he went through all the proper channels and did everything by the book, so if anyone is to blame, it’s whoever registered it in his name without a bill of sale or title.
Now, let’s all be honest here, that van had been sitting for what, 20 years? The “owners” were never gonna restore it, it would sit there until one or both of them died. In my eyes, he saved it, and he tried to do it legally.
I can see both sides though, it’s a sticky one for sure.